- AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Wireless is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T and was formerly known as Cingular Wireless. Headquartered just outside of Atlanta, GA, it offers cellular and data services across the U.S. It the second largest wireless communications service provider in the country after Verizon.
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The Good
- Basic Plan Affordability
- Unlimited Plans
- No-Contract Options
- Device Compatibility
- Hotspots Available
Basic Plan Affordability
Compared to other big-name cell phone providers, AT&T has some of the best prices for talk and text cell phone services.
AT&T offers a barebones phone plan to customers starting at just $30/line per month (when you enroll in monthly credit card or bank AutoPay). This is a great non-contract option for customers who want a basic phone plan with minimal data (1 GB). This is also a great product because customers can get unlimited text and voice at a price that undercuts both contract and non-contract competitors.
Unlimited Plans
Customers who want unlimited data also have some good options with AT&T's unlimited plans. Data plans are on the pricier side but include good network coverage and ample entertainment benefits.
Starting at $40/line per month, you get unlimited talk minutes, text, and data at 4G LTE speeds in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as well as 480p DVD quality video streaming (max of 1.5 Mbps) and access to 35+ live TV channels.
The carrier's top Premium plan includes even more entertainment options: a choice of one complimentary membership with HBO, Cinemax, Pandora Premium, or a number of other entertainment services.
No-Contract Options
AT&T offers both non-contract prepaid cell phone plans and contract cell phone services and is clear as to differences between what each plan includes.
Device Compatibility
AT&T provides a SIM card for users with older iPhones and Android phones if you want to bring your own device. With these SIM cards, phone users can continue to use their phone for a little bit while longer if they don't have the money to purchase a new phone. Or, they can purchase any unlocked phone to use on the AT&T network.
In addition to Windows phones and Android phones, customers can buy phones with the Amazon Fire operating system, allowing them to enjoy their eBooks and apps purchased through Amazon.
Additionally, AT&T also sells other devices that can be managed with the cellular plan, including:
- Tablets
- Cellular modems and routers
- Digital TV services
AT&T has tablets available that support Windows 8, Apple iOS, Android, and the Fire OS by Amazon.
Hotspots Available
AT&T offers a number of different mobile hotspots, including the AT&T Unite Pro. This device has up to sixteen hours of power and lets you boost the battery life of your smartphone. The Unite Pro also lets clients share an Internet connection with up to fifteen devices. Several of AT&T's plans include mobile hotspot data usage, including the Unlimited3 plan which allows up to 10 GB of 4G LTE data with mobile hotspot.
The Bad
- Customer Complaints
Customer Complaints
AT&T reviews bring to light concerns stemming from the contract service and the overage fees.
While the pay-as-you-go plans are subject to data throttling, there is a service fee of $15 per GB that a client goes over their monthly data quota. Other customers have complained about the slowness of the network when they start using a lot of data on their monthly-unlimited plan.
Other customers take issue with AT&T's customer service, network coverage, and pricing.
The Bottom Line
AT&T Wireless offers contract and plan flexibility to customers by including both contract and non-contract services. It has some of the best entry-level plans in the industry along with a wide variety of phones and other devices to choose from.
AT&T Wireless has one of the most diverse offerings of mobile hotspots, with one brand that is able to support up to fifteen devices. There are also battery backup options on most of the mobile hotspots for smartphones that may need a quick battery boost.
In order to get the most out of your data plan, make sure you have purchased the appropriate monthly data plan for your needs. If you start getting towards the end of your data quota, you may find that your data plan is being throttled.
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User Reviews
Star Rating
1,035 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
Yolanda Ramirez
Great Great!! Very good company . Great customer service, I got a new phone,
Yvette
I changed back to At&T in Oct. 2019 with a promotion of getting my iPhone 11 free, trade-in and enrolling in FirstNet program. I have not yet received the promotion after calling, calling and calling on hold and given the run around. My money and time is valuable. It has been almost a year and no resolution. I will be consulting a attorney if nothing is resolved. I will not recommend AT&T to anyone.
Ray Reyes
I been with AT & T for more than 17 years and no matters is the complain they always take myself and give me the best costumer service I don't change phone company at all.
Krista
Their customer service does not speak good English. Why ate these people not American ?
Sandy Bell
Most hateful sales reps. Have our home address, explained location and lack of service where we live. She promised we would have great service. Went home and zero bars! Returned for refund. She was nasty about it! NEVER!
Judy Feldmeier
Like the coverage that it covers although at times I still find some calls being dropped. I do like the fact that it tells you when you are getting a scam call!
Della R.Quinn Coleman
Dislike... Nothing for the long time customer 10 yrs plus on upgrade on new phones . They can even do something for seniors. Loyalty to a company should mean something. Just like a employee with time put in.
Ladyjojo
The product that they carry and their services. Great offers, but what I dislike the most is the line in-stores are way too long.
Holly Blackmon
We had an AT&T rep come to our home when my mom moved here so we could bundle her cell phone with ours. He was very accommodating (came two hours to visit with us). He took his time, explained things, answered our questions and got it all set up and information transferred to new phones. Service is typical cell phone service. If there is a tower, it works. So far no issues with phone, service or billing.
Richard Crouse
The worst phone company in the world . They had a promotion for buy one get one free but they refused to honor the deal . I fought for about a year with the customer service down to the sales people who were on my side but never was taken care of . I left the company and also dropped my Direct Tv also cause they were owned by the same people.
Kyla
they’re not unlimited, we had to pay extra if we used too much data. Also for their wifi but understandable. Would still recommend
John s
Great support & communication from customer service. Recommend this to others! I am four years in and Good coverage. excessive fees compared to cellular providers overseas.
DARLENE KERESTER
Sometime it hard to work with them you make agreement it sometime they don't honor it and you have argue but other then that they are good
19zander
I've had my cell with AT& T for 20 years, no complaints about the quality of the service or customer service. I wish they give long time customers discounts.
LN0113
Service is great, but the customer service is lacking often. The price is pretty high as well.
The Halls
My family and I have had AT&T so long that I can't remember having anything else! With AT&T being a GSM network, it allows the capability of being able to surf and internet and talk. We need to be able to text, talk, and surf the web in our lives! I've never had any major issues with my AT&T service in the many years we've used them and will definitely continue into the future.
Brittany Chalker
Great products, service. But calling and trying to get someone out for service is always difficult
THIERNO NDIAYE
Att is a good company. service price not too bad. customer service people are courteous.
McMorgan Thomptos
I had a problem with my bill and the customer service representative gave me all my options and helped me through the entire process.
Vanilla Palm Films
ATT has the best reach of any carrier, BUT it has the worst customer service in the entire world! There is NO company worse than ATT when it comes to customer service. Each department that you get transferred to will NOT know what the other department has done, promised to do, or was expected to do - even through the "notes" they say they leave behind.
Lee
I have been an AT&T customer for over 25 years. Customer service is not very good I continue to go in or reach out to find the best package but my bill is still almost $200 every month even with a discount for two phones.
Kirat Society Texas
at&t is being best customer service provider in USA with various services. We use all personal cell phones, business landlines, internet service and TV from at&t.
BC Adsmkowski
Have been a satisfied Att customer since 1997.always have had excellent reception with few dropped calls.
Sam edge
I have been with AT&T for about two years now and I love it! I get upgrades fast and I don’t pay that much monthly! They have options to delay paying your bill and lots of unlimited plans for everyone!
Brenda Ernest
I have been with AT& T for over 10 years of services. I have no real complaints about my services. The customer service staff is awesome. The service is always professional and efficient.
Ben and Cin
I loved AT&T but ended up switching due to lack of reception at my place of work. Otherwise, I have great service and a decent data plan on my go plan.
RiveO
If I could give it a zero I would. I have been a loyal ATT customer for over a decade. I have looked at other companies and the difference in savings were not that much for what I needed, so I stayed. But, their customer service is the worst! I HATE calling ATT for anything! I hate that you have to be transferred to multiple departments for one simple request.
Trena Dickerson
In the beginning we had some troubles with the bill being more than what the promotion said it would be but customer service was great and handled it
chmills1cm
I have a good bill with AT&T when I called to disconnect because I found a cheaper company they matched their deal and I have been a happy customer since
Michelle Arduengo-Sandino
Not always the most pleasant to speak with. Always placed on hold before a representative gets on the line.
Sharon W
I've had a family plan for a very long time, and am probably going to continue that. Service is spotty in some areas, and their website has connection problems from time to time.
Bobbie Williams
AT&T offers a wide variety of services but services are extremely expensive and in some cases not worth the price.
Zapata
I been a costumer off at&t good service good costumer support very cheap great discounts
Corena
I have been with att for 10 years combined with direct tv helps with discounts customer service is outstanding
Stuart Watson
Been a customer for years! Love their customer service ! Coverage could use some help but I’ll great most everywhere I go
jcleaton
I like ATT for having coverage everywhere I go including Eastern Europe. I rarely have problems with the service and the monthly charges are reasonable. I would recommend ATT as a cellular service provider.
Caleb Warren
I have been an AT&T customer for over 10 years, the quality of service is good the customer service is decent, the price is a little bit high,
Timothy James
I have been with the company for several years. Their rates are competitive, and their service is on a par with any of the other big companies. I have had no issues either in billing or phone/text service in all the time I have been with them.
NikhilW
Get a good rate. I am an original iPhone user who switched to ATT back when Apple sold it only on ATT. Over the years I have been disappointed with the coverage. Thinking of paying up to go to Verizon or paying down to T-mobile and save some money at least. I typically end up using my home internet for making calls anyway...
Amanda Bills
I’ve been with Att for over five years. They have good rates and I’ve always had good cell service. I rarely have a dropped call and the reception is almost always good. Every now and then I have bad reception where a Verizon customer has good recption, but not very often.
Nathan Carothers
AT&T is ok. When I first signed up, the service was great. That only lasted about 9 months. During the year and a half that I was with them, the AT&T provided modem was replaced 3 times. Eventually, they had to slow down my speed to keep my connection consistent, but they continued to charge me for the higher speed. I ended leaving for another company.
Nicole Richman
Great customer service, and the signal is usually good no matter where we are. Their sales people are helpful in stores.
Layne
AT&T has been my sole cellular provider for 16 years now and they have worked so well for me. When plans have changed over the course of 16 years, they have allowed me to be grandfathered in on old plans and have worked with me to find the best price they can provide
Charlie
Excellent company to deal with! They are very polite and quick to respond to any issues.
geovanna mogrovejo
Service is ok. Customer service is the worst experience of all though. No connection anywhere that isnt the 1st floor and up.
TommyT
AT&T is one the largest cell phone providers in the country so my company went with them. I get coverage in most areas that I've been to, CA, FL, SC, GA, OK, TX, MI, etc,, and their coverage map is good. Make no mistake, they do have blind spots and poor coverage in some areas a well. I haven't found the perfect cell phone company yet. Bottom line is, AT&T is a bit pricey but the service is decent. One thing I wish they did was include free service when traveling to canada/mexico like TMobile.
Zaina Battah
I recently switched over from Sprint to AT&T and they really took care of me, saved me money and handled the transaction very smoothly. I haven't had any dropped calls since!
AD
Good service even in difficult areas Excellent customer service Fair prices compared to other companies
Trish
AT & T is great! Their employees are always prompt and curteous . There honestly seems to always be an answer to any problem i have had.
Todd Boe
Excellent service and knowledgeable. I went online and ordered a new phone, easy and simple.